Results 6,801-6,820 of 9,814 for speaker:Steven Matthews

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 34 - Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Supplementary Estimate) (23 Nov 2023)

Steven Matthews: The Deputy may go ahead.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 34 - Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Supplementary Estimate) (23 Nov 2023)

Steven Matthews: It is my slot. The Deputy was going to raise small technical matters. I will let the Minister respond.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 34 - Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Supplementary Estimate) (23 Nov 2023)

Steven Matthews: It is just generally country-wise because it is a good scheme with good opportunities

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 34 - Housing, Local Government and Heritage (Supplementary Estimate) (23 Nov 2023)

Steven Matthews: I thank the Minister and his officials. That concludes our consideration of the Supplementary Estimate Vote 34 - Housing, Local Government and Heritage, which were referred by the Dáil to the committee in accordance with Standing Order 101. A message to that effect will be sent to the Clerk of the Dáil.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Message to Dáil (23 Nov 2023)

Steven Matthews: In accordance with Standing Order 101, the following message will be sent to the Dáil: The Select Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage has completed its consideration of the following Supplementary Estimate for public services for the year ending 31 December 2022: Vote 34 - Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (28 Nov 2023)

Steven Matthews: The organic farm schemes in this country have been quite successful and quite attractive to farmers, with the increase in their incomes and the better impact on our environment. I pay thanks to the work of the Minister, Deputy McConalogue, and the Ministers of State, Deputy Heydon and Senator Hackett. When will the organic farm payment be paid out? It is coming close to Christmas and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Local and European Elections 2024 and Subsequent General Election: Discussion (28 Nov 2023)

Steven Matthews: I will take the next slot. The Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2023 goes to Report and Final Stages in the Dáil tomorrow, and then on to the Seanad. I think we will be okay to meet that deadline even if an election is called. I turn to the last point made by Mr. O'Leary. Is the pre-enrolment of 16-year-olds and 17-year-olds being monitored? Is he aware how much of that is going on at the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Local and European Elections 2024 and Subsequent General Election: Discussion (28 Nov 2023)

Steven Matthews: I think there is a QR code to get people onto it. Would it be acceptable in the classroom to say that as they all have smartphones, they can use the QR code to go register?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Local and European Elections 2024 and Subsequent General Election: Discussion (28 Nov 2023)

Steven Matthews: Good stuff.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Local and European Elections 2024 and Subsequent General Election: Discussion (28 Nov 2023)

Steven Matthews: The question has already come up about monitoring and managing social media, online content and how it has the ability to twist and turn. It has the agility to move quickly. I am intrigued to know how we can possibly try to address it. It seems like a slippery fish, and it keeps evolving and changing. When we looked at the electoral reform Bill at this committee and started to lift the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Local and European Elections 2024 and Subsequent General Election: Discussion (28 Nov 2023)

Steven Matthews: There is the obvious messaging that is very easy for people to pick up on and there is the more nuanced messaging or the dog whistle, as it is referred to, because it is only audible for certain people or certain cohorts. We need to follow up on that and chase that down because that might not be apparent. Some of those messages are not very clear as to the direction they are going but they...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Local and European Elections 2024 and Subsequent General Election: Discussion (28 Nov 2023)

Steven Matthews: I have other questions but I will move on to members. I call Senator Boyhan.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Local and European Elections 2024 and Subsequent General Election: Discussion (28 Nov 2023)

Steven Matthews: Things have moved on a little bit. On the issue of addresses on the ballot paper, it is important for the returning officer and for the process to have traceability as to who the candidate is. It might be necessary to find them if election posters have been left up, for example. That is why it is not a completely vague address. However, I question the necessity for it being so detailed,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Local and European Elections 2024 and Subsequent General Election: Discussion (28 Nov 2023)

Steven Matthews: My experience of polling stations is that the returning officers and presiding officers over them are really good and competent. They are always able to answer questions. We probably all have different experiences. I take note of the Senator's point.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Local and European Elections 2024 and Subsequent General Election: Discussion (28 Nov 2023)

Steven Matthews: Mr. O'Leary listed what a potentially busy electoral period we have over the two years ahead, with eight electoral events. I only count seven. Which one am I missing?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Local and European Elections 2024 and Subsequent General Election: Discussion (28 Nov 2023)

Steven Matthews: I see. Mr. O'Leary meant voting events, not necessarily electoral events.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Local and European Elections 2024 and Subsequent General Election: Discussion (28 Nov 2023)

Steven Matthews: Are they classed as that? Even referendums.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Local and European Elections 2024 and Subsequent General Election: Discussion (28 Nov 2023)

Steven Matthews: Returning to the research strategy, there are a number of high-level issues talked about there. Obviously, the commission will assess what comes in from the public consultation. Something may spring from that which the commission had not considered and it may decide to take a look. The commission will get these in by, say, 12 January and go through its assessment. When it produces its...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Local and European Elections 2024 and Subsequent General Election: Discussion (28 Nov 2023)

Steven Matthews: Let us say there is to be a general election next October, November or whenever - everybody is guessing different dates for it. Could the commission reasonably have made a recommendation by that point around postering? The commission will be making recommendations, but it will be up to the Oireachtas to legislate to put those into action.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Local and European Elections 2024 and Subsequent General Election: Discussion (28 Nov 2023)

Steven Matthews: I will make a submission, but the listing of addresses of candidates on ballot papers is something I would like to see dealt with. I do not know whether we will be able to do it in time for the local and European elections, but it is a vexed question. There could at least be guidance provided to candidates applying on what they can put down. A little further on, because it probably will...